| Author | Message | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 2020 Registered: 2-2006 |
I happened to catch the last half of a documentary about Robert Moog last night. It was very enlightening to say the least. If you should get a chance to watch it, DO. I remember when my old band in high school got our first Moog. Man we thought we were it man. We’ve hit the 20th century and were ready for the big time. LOL Robert explains how he came to invent his Synthesizer and how he came up with the name "Synthesizer”. It’s kind of funny, when I think of a Moog I think electronic instrument therefore digital right? WRONG, Robert was very emphatic in his explanation that his Moog is an analog instrument. It doesn’t use numbers and such digitally to create tones. I would be the wrong person to explain it in any great detail, but if this kind of stuff interest you this documentary is a must see. OO | ||
| terryc
Senior Member Username: terryc Post Number: 699 Registered: 11-2004 |
Analogue synths were voltage controlled that is, it was actual volts and amps that created the sounds, oscillators, ADSR modules, ring modulators, hence they were prone to go out of tune in temperature extremes. Digital synths have the sounds pre programmed into the chips & IC's. The classic british synthesiser was the VCS3 developed my EMS..the BBC had a huge synthesiser in their Radiophonic workshop. King Crimson, Roxy Music, Hawkwind were some of the 60's/70's prog rock bands that used them. A unique sound in themselves..just like old fuzz boxes and tape reverb units. | ||
| terryc
Senior Member Username: terryc Post Number: 700 Registered: 11-2004 |
Oops I meant spring reverb & tape echo units | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 2021 Registered: 2-2006 |
I remember my dad's old Echo-Plex that used tape and I do remember bumping into an amp with the spring-reverb units. BBooiiinnnggggg!!!. Rick Wakeman told a funny story in the documentary about one of his first Moog's that he bought. The guy was selling it cheap because he said it didn't work. Rick bought it, hooked it up and said it worked great. Contacted the seller to find out what was supposed to be wrong with it and the cat says "it'll only play one note at a time". LOL OO | ||
| hieronymous
Senior Member Username: hieronymous Post Number: 522 Registered: 1-2005 |
The Moogerfooger pedals and later Moog synths like the Micromoog and Little Phatty were essential parts of my development as a musician. To me Moog and Alembic are two of the great American music companies - I think it would be great if they could collaborate! Moog recently released a guitar (?!!) - they should have had Alembic do the design! | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 2022 Registered: 2-2006 |
The 5 pin connector on the guitar looks familiar, hmmm wonder where I've seen that before. OO | ||
| terryc
Senior Member Username: terryc Post Number: 701 Registered: 11-2004 |
I know we can lose ourselves in nostaglia but todays bands are after that vintage sound. Another old keyboard was the Mellotron, tapes with notes recorded on them for violins, cellos and flutes..totally unreliable in the gigging situation as they were not supposed to be moved. I have a old Colorsound Wah wah and Tonebender, the latter sounds very retro, not like the clinical digital distortion units. | ||
| slawie
Junior Username: slawie Post Number: 49 Registered: 8-2002 |
Back in the late Eighties I worked in a studio that was based around a Fairlight system. Any of these ever get out of Australia? slawie | ||
| dnburgess
Senior Member Username: dnburgess Post Number: 588 Registered: 1-2003 |
Yes - I think there were more Fairlight's sold internationally than within Australia. For a while it was the must have sampling keyboard. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 7498 Registered: 5-2002 |
Where is the documentary? | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 2027 Registered: 2-2006 |
I caught on cable last night. I beleive it was on Showtime. | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 2028 Registered: 2-2006 |
It is airing on Showtime and here is the schedule. On Showtime 02/07/09 at 5:15 AM On Showtime Family Zone 02/09/09 at 12:45 AM On Showtime Showcase 02/10/09 at 9:00 AM On Showtime 02/11/09 at 5:30 AM On Showtime Family Zone 02/13/09 at 1:00 AM | ||
| crobbins
Advanced Member Username: crobbins Post Number: 218 Registered: 6-2004 |
I love everything about Moog..  | ||
| terryc
Senior Member Username: terryc Post Number: 703 Registered: 11-2004 |
Kate Bush used a Fairlight on her 'Hounds of Love' Album..it was the state of the art back then, now you can get keyboards form catalogues which do the same for very little money, progress does have it's merits. | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 3518 Registered: 7-2004 |
Thanks for the head's up on this one, Olie. I watched it last night. Moog seems like a fascinating guy. I was so impressed, when it was over I went on ebay and bought a Moog Theremin. Soon I'll be able to play tunes by Lothar and the Hand People! Bill, tgo | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 2044 Registered: 2-2006 |
I actually have it on the DVR, and plan on watching tonight. I only caught the last half the other night. I believe Robert died not long after this doc. was made. OO | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 2045 Registered: 2-2006 |
2005 OO | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 2046 Registered: 2-2006 |
Hey Bill, have you ever tried a Theremin before. If not don't forget to come out for food every now and then. They're addicting. OoOOOOO OoOOOOO | ||
| artswork99
Senior Member Username: artswork99 Post Number: 560 Registered: 7-2007 |
If you're in the Asheville, NC area call ahead and try to schedule a stop at the Moog facilities. They were kind enough to tour me through an amazing journey a couple of birthdays ago. The play room was phenomenal. |
